Revered sports icon gets follow-up care for urinary tract infection.

The iconic former three-time heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday to receive further treatment for a urinary tract infection. Doctors sent the champ home in time for him to celebrate his 73rd birthday today (January 17).

”He's home and resting and glad to be out of the hospital,'' Gunnell said. The Ali family greatly appreciates the outpouring of support and continued well-wishes."

The statement from Gunnell added that Ali planned to celebrate his birthday "[cheering] on the University of Louisville Cardinals Basketball team in their game against the Duke University Blue Devils.”

The beloved three-time world heavyweight champion checked back into a Louisville, Kentucky, hospital for the second time in less than a month to receive follow-up treatment for the severe urinary tract infection that he had in late December, the Associated Press confirmed.

"There were still issues with the urinary tract infection," said Ali’s family spokesman, Bob Gunnell, who added that the sports great is expected to be released Friday in time to celebrate his 73rd birthday on Saturday with his family.

Gunnell mentioned that Ali would like to watch Louisville take on Duke in college basketball action Saturday as part of his birthday festivities.

Ali continues to fight Parkinson's disease, which he was first diagnosed with in 1984 at age 42.

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(Photo: AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

Written by BET-Staff

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